Despite the government shutdown affecting many federal agencies and contractors (including the EPA), it is business as usual for the time being at OSHA. Both OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) are fully operational during the shutdown.
tumsasedgars / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Due to a minibus appropriations bill signed by President Donald Trump in September 2018, these agencies are fully funded through September 2019. Employers should expect the same level of inspections, enforcement, and compliance assistance that was in place pre-shutdown.
However, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has had approximately 95 percent of its staff furloughed, and all current investigations have been suspended. The remaining staff are on call should a serious incident occur during the shutdown. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also been affected, with its lawyers furloughed. DOJ lawyers have requested that their civil cases be stayed and deadlines postponed for the length of the shutdown.